title: Pneumothorax: treatment by small-lumen catheter aspiration.
abstract: To assess the efficacy of simple aspiration as a treatment for pneumothorax, 40 consecutive pneumothoraces (28 spontaneous, 12 iatrogenic, all estimated at greater than or equal to 20% collapse on visual inspection of the chest X-ray) in 38 symptomatic patients were treated initially by small-lumen catheter (SLC) aspiration. SLC aspiration avoided the need for large-lumen intercostal catheter (LIC) underwater drainage in 28 cases (70%)--20 of 28 spontaneous and eight of 12 iatrogenic pneumothoraces. Outcome was not predicted by clinical variables or pneumothorax size, whereas an initial aspirate volume of less than or equal to 4 L (n = 33) was predictable of success in 28 cases (85%). Minor local subcutaneous emphysema and vasovagal reactions were encountered infrequently but with similar frequency to LIC drainage. No episodes of re-expansion pulmonary oedema occurred. The results confirm previous reports of the efficacy of simple aspiration as a treatment for spontaneous or iatrogenic pneumothorax. Initial treatment by SLC aspiration is recommended for all but life-threatening presentations of pneumothorax. Although not encountered in this study, the potential risk of re-expansion pulmonary oedema suggests that patients should be observed closely for four hours after aspiration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, WA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Markos
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McGonigle
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Phillips
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000209:etiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013396:Suction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*